Revenue

Michael Widmer, president of the non-partisan Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation, said that sales tax holidays give the impression of jumpstarting the economy while actually costing the state valuable revenue. He said the proposal is especially risky this year with the state facing a projected deficit of about $1 billion.

In the face of Patrick's own warnings, legislators this week are expected to take up a variety of spending bills, including a $3 billion capital facility bond bill and a $1.6 billion environmental bond bill.

"The current level of spending is unsustainable, and there is no plan to deal with the economic and fiscal challenges ahead," according to a budget warning sent out by the taxpayers foundation.

One of the biggest threats to the state's financial stability is a potential drop in the capital gains tax revenue, said Michael Widmer, president of the taxpayers group.